Hancock, Md., Marks Civil War Anniversary

HANCOCK, Md. (AP) — The western Maryland town of Hancock is marking the 150th anniversary of a little-known Civil War battle.

Events commemorating the Battle of Hancock begin Thursday and continue through Saturday.

The National Park Service says the Potomac River town of 3,400 was bombarded for two days on Jan. 5-6, 1862, by Confederates led by Maj. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Hancock was defended by Brig. Gen. F.W. Lander. There were an estimated 25 casualties.

The rebels fired from across the river in what is now Morgan County, W.Va. Their objective was to disrupt traffic on the B&O Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

The park service says Jackson was unable to cross the river safely. The Confederates withdrew and marched on Romney, in western Virginia, on Jan. 7.